Installing DeepSeek-R1 locally on a Windows PC and integrating it with Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

Integrating advanced AI models into your development environment can significantly enhance productivity. This guide will walk you through installing DeepSeek-R1 locally on a Windows PC using Ollama and integrating it with Visual Studio Code (VS Code) via the Cline extension.

Prerequisites:

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later
• Hardware: A compatible CPU or GPU for optimal performance
• Software: Visual Studio Code installed

Step 1: Install Ollama

1. Download Ollama: Visit the Ollama download page and select the Windows installer.
2. Run the Installer: Launch the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
3. Verify Installation: Open Command Prompt and type ollama --version. If installed correctly, the version number will be displayed.

Step 2: Download the DeepSeek-R1 Model

Pull the Model:In Command Prompt, execute:

ollama pull deepseek-r1        

This command downloads the DeepSeek-R1 model to your local machine.

Step 3: Run the DeepSeek-R1 Model

Start the Model:After the download completes, run:

ollama run deepseek-r1        

This initializes the DeepSeek-R1 model, allowing you to interact with it directly in the Command Prompt.

Step 4: Integrate with Visual Studio Code Using Cline

Install the Cline Extension:

• Open VS Code.
• Navigate to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
• Search for "Cline" and click "Install" to add the extension to your VS Code environment.

Configure Cline to Use DeepSeek-R1 via Ollama:

• Click on the Cline icon in the VS Code sidebar.
• Click on "Settings" within the Cline interface.
• Set the API Provider to "Ollama".
• In the Base URL field, enter https://localhost:11434.
• The Model ID should automatically populate with deepseek-r1. If not, enter it manually.
• Click "Done" to save the settings.

Step 5: Test the Integration

Interact with DeepSeek-R1:

• Within VS Code, use Cline to ask coding-related questions or request code generation assistance.
• For example, type a prompt like "Generate a Python function to sort a list using bubble sort."
• DeepSeek-R1 will process the request and provide the corresponding code snippet.

By following these steps, you've successfully set up DeepSeek-R1 locally on your Windows PC and integrated it with VS Code using the Cline extension. This configuration leverages the power of AI to enhance your coding experience, providing intelligent code suggestions and assistance directly within your development environment.